About
Growing up in the 60’s, in Park Ridge Illinois, I was privileged to have a mother who was very well versed in fashion due to her modeling and television career. This exposed me to the fashion and television industry at an early age. As a child I was better in art compared to math and science. I was lucky enough to attend the world renowned Interlochen Center for Arts in their summer fine arts intensive program. I later attended the companion Interlochen Arts Academy, the highly professional fine arts college prep boarding school where I majored in art and theatre. Following graduation, I attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and focused on fashion design and painting. Since my Grandmother taught me how to sew I started creating costumes for local theaters and landed an internship at the Minneapolis Children’s Theater Company which gave me a firsthand experience in theatre production.
Early Professional Experience
Returning to Chicago, I became an assistant for a major costume designer working with clients John Malkovich, Gary Sinese and Jim Belushi at Marriott Lincolnshire Theater, the Steppenwolf Theatre, Organic Theater, Drury Lane and Candle Light Dinner Theater. I designed and produced costumes and makeup looks for theatre plus industrial shows and commercials.
Continuing Professional Development
Marriage and motherhood in the 80s brought me to Michigan and I studied at the University of Michigan theatre dept and later Central Michigan University with a BFA in technical theatre. At the same time I was introduced to the growing Mary Kay cosmetics line and became an award winning consultant; developing business in three states. My personal and professional growth rapidly increased as I learned to teach skin care and produced makeup looks on a wide variety of faces. I had many opportunities at his time to design and create wedding day finery and makeup. I enjoyed the person just as much as the faces that went along with them!
Additional Professional Experience
I developed a strong business sense and a desire to be a true professional in the field of skin care and make up when relocating back to the Chicago area. I was very blessed to be trained at CBS Chicago in television makeup technique by Wendy Kimmel and through her, learned African American make up techniques from Reggie Wells at the Oprah Winfrey Show. My client list included Bill Curtis, Deborah Norville, David McCallum, Lester Holt, and personalities at channels 2, 7 ,9 plus CLTV New, the Oprah Winfrey Show and the chefs at the Chicago Tribune. Other clients included Sedgewick Productions, the Midwest Beauty Show for Wella, as well as numerous commercials, fashion, runway, and film. My connections in the upscale Chicago bridal industry grew and my business focused on “on location” bridal makeup services which have now become the mainstay of my business today. In 1994, I joined the team in the makeup department at the Mario Tricoci Salons which continued for the next 10 years. I produced a wide variety of beautiful makeup looks for all types and colors plus a strong base knowledge of product lines and ingredients. I developed a love for educating clients on their skin care regime which brought me to the field of education in the salon industry. I became a licensed esthetician in 2004 and became an account executive/trainer for B. Kamins Chemist line for the Midwest area. I furthered my esthetics training with a Medical Certification at with Dr. Stephen Dayan in Chicago. I am a member/ educator of Cosmetology Illinois professional organization and a member of Associated Skin Care Professionals and a contributor to Wish Upon a Wedding, Chicago Chapter.
Today
In 2008 family circumstances allowed me to officially create and open Wendycityfaces here out of my home while I care for my special needs adult son along with the support and encouragement of my daughter who is an early childhood educator and my extended family. I am active in Special Olympics Illinois through Fox Valley Recreational Association. I am proud and blessed to be flexible in my scheduling and offer my clients on site or in studio facials, waxing, makeup lessons with an amazing therapeutic product line and the best education with love and honesty available. I look forward to giving you my best so you can be YOUR best.
